Physio Jon Fearn returns to Chelsea bench for visit of West Ham

Physio Jon Fearn returned to Chelsea's bench on Saturday for the first time since the opening day of the season when he was admonished along with Eva Carneiro by then manager Jose Mourinho.

Fearn was criticised alongside then first-team doctor Carneiro for going on to the pitch to treat Eden Hazard during the 2-2 draw with Swansea on August 8.

The pair were subsequently stripped of first-team duties. Mourinho later suggested they could return to the bench, although neither did before his sacking in December.

Physio Jon Fearn, pictured right, returned to the Chelsea bench for the visit of West Ham

Carneiro did not appear on the bench again and left Chelsea the following month. The 42-year-old is pursuing a claim of constructive dismissal against the club and a separate personal legal action against Mourinho.

Fearn remained at Chelsea, working behind the scenes, before returning to matchday duties for Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash with West Ham at Stamford Bridge.

Fearn, who was on the pitch for the warm-up, replaced Steve Hughes on the Chelsea bench for Saturday's game, for which Hazard was absent with a hip and groin injury.

Carneiro and Fearn's treatment of the Belgium international against Swansea more than seven months ago meant Chelsea were temporarily down to nine men, having already had Thibaut Courtois sent off. Afterwards Mourinho called Carneiro and Fearn ''impulsive and naive''.

Chelsea, Mourinho and Carneiro are scheduled to appear before an employment tribunal on June 6, unless a settlement can be reached beforehand.

Should the cases proceed to an employment tribunal, witness statements and documents - including texts and emails - would be made public, while Carneiro, Mourinho and representatives from Chelsea could be called to appear as witnesses.

That could be difficult for Mourinho, who is keen to return to management and has been linked with a move to Manchester United, with Louis van Gaal's position under scrutiny.

Chelsea wore black armbands against West Ham in memory of another member of the club's medical department. Practice manager Pamela Jordan died following an illness.